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Examine the statement of the Prophet sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) to Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu anhu): ‘’Acknowledge Allaah in times of ease and He will acknowledge you in times of hardship’’

So, if you worship Allaah and seek to get close to Him in times of ease, Allaah will rescue you when you find yourself in hardship and difficulty. Therefore, it is obligatory upon the fathers to nurture their sons, for indeed the young men will not be rectified except by way of certain means. And from the greatest of these means are:

[1]Righteous-Upbringing:

It is obligatory upon the fathers to nurture their sons upon obedience to Allaah. They are to nurture them until they grow up upon righteousness. However, if they are neglected, they will be nurtured upon heedlessness and the youthful whims, and thus become lost in society. This is why the Prophets (alayhimus salaam) used to supplicate for their sons and offspring.

Ibraaheem (Alayhis Salaam) said: ”O my Lord! Make me one who performs As-Salaat, and also from my offspring…..” (14:40)

And Zakariyyah (alayhis Salaam) said: ”O my Lord! Grant me from You, a good offspring. You are indeed the All-Hearer of invocation.” (3:38)

He (Zakariyya) did not merely say, ”grant me from You offspring” and then stopped at that, rather he said, ”Tayyiba”- good (i.e. a good offspring); because good offspring are offspring in reality.

The messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’When the son of Aadam dies, all his deeds are terminated except three: an on-going charity, knowledge from which others benefit and a righteous child who supplicates for him.” (Reported by Muslim).   This takes place after a person’s death, but when he is a state of infirmity and old age, he is treated with goodness. The son he brought up upon good attends to him and supplicates for him.  Allaah (The Most High) said: ‘’And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.   And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘’My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.’’ (17:23-24)

The child supplicates for them as a result of the righteous upbringing he was nurtured upon, and through which he attained happiness. So he repays their goodness with goodness. (Therefore) with regards to this is the obligation to protect children. Indeed, when a man wants to get married, he should choose a righteous woman amongst whose usefulness is that she is able to bring up children upon good. She is a place where the seed is sown and where children are begotten, therefore he should choose a righteous woman. The prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’A woman is married for four; her wealth, family status, beauty and religion. So you should marry the one with religion, otherwise you will be a loser.”

Neither look at her beauty alone nor he wealth; neither her noble origin nor her status amongst the people; rather you look at her Religion, because the religion combines all that is good.  As for (looking at) other than her religion, then the woman will carry what will not bring about a praiseworthy end result. And with regards to her beauty, she seduces by way of it; and with regards to her wealth, she exceeds the limits in it; and with regards to her noble origin, she exalts herself with it above the man. As for the woman with religion, then nothing comes from her except good. If you are bestowed with righteous offspring from her, she will bring them up upon good.